Mathematical theory of elasticity of quasicrystals and its applications (Q530406)

Quasicrystals are the third form of condensed matter besides the amorphous and the crystalline. They were discovered by a seminal observation on non-crystallographic symmetry in a metallic alloy and reported in 1984 (Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 2011). Quasicrystals has been a growing area of experimental and theoretical research with potential technological applications. The present book is the second edition of a unique treatise on the mathematical elasticity theory of quasicrystals (for a review of the first edition, see [(2010; Zbl 1222.74003)]). It is competently written by an author who has made some contributions on the subject along with his associates. The present new edition includes only one new chapter -- Chapter 16 -- on the hydrodynamics of quasicrystals and a brief introduction on soft-matter quasicrystals in the major appendix. The book begins with the basic concepts of crystals and the elasticity of crystals in Chapters 1 and 2. Then the discovery, structure and symmetry of quasicrystals are explained, and a brief introduction to the physical properties of quasicrystals is given in Chapter~3. The phonon field, which is similar to that in crystals and the phason field, which is a new displacement field of quasicrystals, are introduced in Chapter~4. Then the three-dimensional basic equations of linear elasticity of solid quasicrystals, based on the Landau density wave theory, are given in differential form. The special elasticity equations of one-dimensional and two-dimensional quasicrystals, including some simplifications, are respectively recorded in Chapters 5 and 6. The solutions of the one- and two-dimensional equations of quasicrystals are given for dislocation and interface problems in Chapter~7, for notch and crack problems in Chapter~8, and those of the three-dimensional equations of quasicrystals for similar problems in Chapter~9. Chapter~10 discusses the elastodynamics of phonon-phason fields as a collaborating model of wave propagation and diffusion, and then presents the solutions of some dynamic problems by the finite difference method. The complex analysis method and the finite element method are respectively introduced so as to solve the elasticity equations of quasicrystals in Chapters 11 and 12, and then sample numerical solutions are provided. The internal consistency of the three-dimensional basic equations of elasticity of quasicrystals is studied in Chapter~13. In Chapter~14, some experimental results are summarized on the nonlinear behavior of quasicrystals, and then some nonlinear problems based on the generalized models are solved. Chapter~15 deals with the linear and nonlinear theories and the dynamic theory of fracture of solid quasicrystals. Chapter~16 presents an introduction to hydrodynamics of solid quasicrystals and then a sample numerical solution. Chapter~17 is devoted to some concluding remarks on the elasticity of quasicrystals. Lastly, a major appendix is provided on some additional mathematical materials. In sum, the book is up to date and its content is sufficient for the exposition and applications under the mechanical effects in the mathematical elasticity of quasicrystals, and hence it could serve as a perfect text for senior undergraduate or first-year graduate students of engineering and applied sciences. Nevertheless, the book would be expected to include the material coefficients for a few common quasicrystals, the usual subject and author indices in appendices, and especially a treatment of the piezoelectric and alike effects in its future editions. In any case, the book is highly recommendable to everyone who is already working on the subject or just starting.